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cnbc.com
India’s retail inflation hits 4.8% in August, rises for 10th straight month
India's inflation in August accelerated for the tenth month straight to 4.82% in August amid rising food and fuel prices.
theguardian.com
European tech stocks hit six-week low as calls for AI slowdown worry investors – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsAI-linked stocks fall after tech bosses call for slowdown in ‘reckless’ developmentAI CEOs say they need to slow the pace of development. But will they?The Guardian view on controlling AI: humanity cannot outsource its survivalCompanies threatened by the march of AI are seeing their share prices rise this morning!RELX, the analytics group, are up 4.2% and leading the FTSE 100 risers. Earlier this year its shares tumbled after the Claude chatbot added new data and automation tools. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
OpenAI boss Sam Altman spells out how and why the AI industry wants to slow down: 'We could lose control'
OpenAI's chief has made comments detailing how AI safety frameworks and a slowdown could work, as the industry unites behind concerns.
cnbc.com
U.S. Treasury yields are steady as 10-year closes in on 5% ahead of Fed rates decision
The 10-year Treasury yield is closing in on 5%, a level last touched in October 2023. Strategists say the drivers behind higher yields are more important.
cnbc.com
Iran says it destroyed U.S. advanced drone over Hormuz as Middle East conflict intensifies
Iran said it downed an advanced American drone over the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran and Washington trade warnings and strikes with no sign of de-escalation.
cnbc.com
China says AI CEOs' call for a slowdown is 'fear mongering'
Chinese state media's reports of the daily press conference also noted that all groups should work together for AI openness and inclusivity.
cnbc.com
Brent crude jumps above $108 after Saudi Arabia shuts down critical pipeline that bypasses Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia has faced escalating attacks from Iran-allied militant groups in recent days.
cnbc.com
Trump urges Ukraine to stop ‘knocking out’ Russian oil refineries as U.S. diesel hits record
U.S. diesel prices have surpassed $6 a gallon for the first time ever as the Ukraine and Iran wars drive broader energy supply concerns.
cnbc.com
Cadbury cut two months off its supply chain lead time for a key chocolate-bar ingredient in one move
Mondelez is expanding its chocolate manufacturing operations in Malaysia, with the company also seeing further room for growth across Southeast Asia.
cnbc.com
Satellite images show extent of damage to Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline that bypasses Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut the roughly 750-mile pipeline as attacks threaten a key alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
‘We’re not going to back down’: tiny Dorset B&B stands up to Airbnb’s legal bid to ‘monopolise’ letters ‘bnb’
Three little letters - bnb-side’s name is a play on the local b-side arts festival, but Silicon Valley colossus sees threat to global brandIn one corner is bnb-side, a six-room bed and breakfast on the Isle of Portland – a tiny wedge of limestone tied by a narrow ribbon of shingle to the Dorset coast – that was created to help secure the future of the rock’s much-loved arts festival, b-side.On the other is Airbnb, the San Francisco-based booking colossus. The battle between them is over the three little letters they share. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Yen appreciation has carry-trade seekers looking at these two currencies
Yen appreciation has carry-trade seekers looking at these two currencies
bbc.co.uk
Heading off to uni? Here's what to insure against theft
What should new students consider to keep your belongings safe and covered by insurance?
bbc.co.uk
MPs and Lords call for new law to address AI threat to human rights
Existing laws are not equipped to address the risks to human rights being posed by artificial intelligence, UK politicians say.
theguardian.com
Oil prices rise after drone attacks shut down Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline
Price spike comes as rebel Houthis in Yemen target oil infrastructure and capture strategic island in Bab al-Mandab straitBusiness news – live updatesOil prices have climbed above $108 a barrel after a series of drone attacks forced Saudi Arabia to close its east-west crude pipeline.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, surged to as much as $108.03 a barrel on Monday – a 3.25% increase on the day. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Thames Water redraws mega-reservoir plan amid local opposition
A new public consultation has opened on the 150bn-litre above-ground White Horse project in Abingdon, OxfordshireThames Water has amended the blueprint of a planned mega-reservoir in Oxfordshire as the struggling utility tries to convince regulators that construction should go ahead amid warnings of “catastrophic consequences”.The White Horse reservoir near Abingdon is scheduled to hold 150bn litresof water with a surface area of 6.7 sq km (2.6 sq miles) – almost the same size as Gatwick airport. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'Culture shift' needed in how UK does business, PM urges
Burnham has said those who take risks should be backed by government, but his government has been criticised for increasing business costs.
cnbc.com
Novo Nordisk rebrands to 'Novo,' unveils corporate changes as it fights for obesity market share
The Danish drugmaker called the changes the beginning of a new chapter for the company, which faces stiff competition from Eli Lilly.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: 'Whoever wins AI, wins'
Rivals Anthropic, OpenAI and xAI jointly called for a slowdown in AI development, while President Donald Trump stressed the need to keep a lead on China.
theguardian.com
UK credit scores: should you worry about a big shake-up?
Your rating is vital when taking on debt, but you could be in for a surprise as a big player changes its rulesYour credit score is the magic number that helps lenders decide whether or not to approve a mortgage, loan or credit card application.Typically, the higher the number, the better your borrowing prospects. But a shake-up of the scoring system at TransUnion, one of the UK’s three main credit reference agencies, could mean a shock next time you log in. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: the foldable with the best triple camera
Big screen folder with slick software and advanced AI is just like a regular Android when closedGoogle’s latest folding phone sticks with its tried and tested design of a traditional phone shape when closed and almost square when open, in the face of new competition from Apple’s squat iPhone fold.The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is Google’s fourth-generation folder and is still one of the only models with a full water and dust resistance rating similar to standard slab phones. It costs from £1,799 (€1,999/$1,899/A$2,799), which is £50 (€100/$100/A$100) more than last year as the pressure of RAMageddon continues to push up prices. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Shein shares fall 10% amid urgent recall of contact-lens cleaner by Australia, New Zealand
Shein's Hong Kong-listed shares fell as much as 10%, amid news that a contact lens product has been recalled urgently due to worries of contamination.
theguardian.com
Rail passengers get automatic right to switch operators for free when trains are cancelled
‘Commonsense change’ looks to end current confusion and put ‘passengers first, not shareholders’ when services are disruptedRail passengers whose trains are cancelled will have the immediate right to travel on other operators’ services to finish their journey without further charge, ministers have announced.The “commonsense change” will take effect from Sunday 20 September, ending the confusion in Britain where many pre-booked tickets are not valid on other firms’ trains. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI CEOs say they need to slow the pace of development. But will they?
After apocalyptic warnings about the threats posed by AI, leaders like Sam Altman and Elon Musk backed Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s calls to ‘slow the pace’Facing a public uproar over Anthropic researchers’ repeated warnings that artificial intelligence could kill all of humanity by 2030, the AI company’s CEO Dario Amodei issued a proposal at the weekend to slow down the technology’s advancement to ensure public safety.In a rare display of unity, the heads of the largest US artificial intelligence companies all agreed immediately. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer apologizes over team sanctions
Ballmer said that the team is complying with the penalties, has paid the fines, and is "moving forward."
bbc.co.uk
Food redistribution warehouse opens in east London
The Big Heart Food Hub in Barking aims to deliver 10 tonnes of food to charities each week.
cnbc.com
Anthropic walks tightrope to Nasdaq, pushing for a slowdown while pursuing $2 trillion valuation
As Anthropic meets with prospective investors ahead of its potentially historic market debut, CEO Dario Amodei is pushing for a slowdown in AI.
cnbc.com
Baker Hughes sees no slowdown in energy projects despite higher rates as AI buildouts stoke LNG demand
Baker Hughes has yet to see higher borrowing costs slow investment in major energy projects.
cnbc.com
Z.ai shares tumble over 10% after $5 billion fundraising, its second major raise in two months
Z.ai shares tumbled after the Chinese AI company announced its second major fundraising in two months.
bbc.co.uk
Amazon pauses work with cargo firm after fatal crash
The 21 Air-operated jet overshot a runway at Miami International Airport and hit several vehicles.
theguardian.com
AI isn’t going to end humanity ... right? – podcast
A series of figures in the tech world have been warning about – and even resigning over – the existential threat posed by AI. How worried should we be? With technology editor Robert BoothTen per cent. That’s the risk, more or less, claimed a high-profile AI developer last week, that the technology wipes humanity out in the next decade.And he was not alone – over the last few months there has been a string of warnings, resignations and even stories of AI companies losing control of their bots. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Prediction markets are becoming more professionalized, but also harder to beat
The institutionalization of prediction markets threatens to erode the edge of skilled traders who earn off mispricing and market inefficiencies, experts say.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Peace talks amid pipeline shocks
Statements from the BRICS summit over the weekend had a common thread: Nations want peace in the Middle East.
cnbc.com
Jim Cramer questions Anthropic CEO's slowdown manifesto and puts forth an action plan
While I have grown tired of his endless proclamations, Dario Amodei does raise points that will impact many stocks if the spending curb proceeds.
bbc.co.uk
Rent rises set to speed up in gloomy forecast for tenants
The cost of renting is expected to rise by 4% or 5% a year by December, says property website Zoopla.
bbc.co.uk
Carney gambles on the world's biggest investors betting on Canada
In the midst of a trade war with the US, the prime minister leveraged his connections in global finance to invite some of the world's biggest investors to Canada.
theguardian.com
Hospitality industry urges Andy Burnham to lay out VAT cut plans
More than 800 businesses ask PM to make good on pledge, or risk more closures and job lossesHundreds of UK hospitality businesses, backed by celebrity chefs including Angela Hartnett and Heston Blumenthal, have asked Andy Burnham to lay out plans to lower VAT for the sector, urging him to make good on his previous pledge.More than 800 businesses have written an open letter to the prime minister as part of the #VATsTheProblem campaign, to warn that without a “fairer tax burden for hospitality”, there will be more closures and job losses, and fewer opportunities for young people. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
OpenAI rules out IPO this year as Altman, Musk & Amodei warn AI is moving too fast
Altman's IPO comments and Amodei's public call for more careful pacing of AI development cap a week of loud AI warnings.
theguardian.com
‘Sweat the asset’: new development minister plots path to make UK aid count
Kirsty McNeill reaffirms Labour’s 0.7% of GDP pledge and promises value for money to allay voter concernsThe development minister, Kirsty McNeill, has declared herself “a huge believer in aid”, as she reaffirmed Labour’s manifesto pledge to return to a target of 0.7% of national income spending.McNeill, a former adviser to Gordon Brown and senior executive at Save the Children, declined to give any timetable, repeating the formula that the government would work towards the target “when fiscal circumstances allow”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham to host entrepreneurs and local mayors at No 10 on Monday
Prime minister vows to ‘reindustrialise Britain’ through new partnership with business The prime minister is to host business leaders, entrepreneurs and local mayors at Downing Street on Monday to pitch his government as a “partner for growth” that can offer a stable platform for investment and jobs in the UK.Ahead of the event, Andy Burnham said the country had “everything it needs to succeed”, including talented people and world-class universities, but requires “a culture shift in how Britain does business” if it is to unlock its full potential. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump says he will remove all Irish whiskey tariffs as he ends two-day visit
Whiskey distilled in the Republic of Ireland faces the standard 15% tariff which applies to EU goods entering the US.
bbc.co.uk
Trump downplays warnings of AI risks, citing rivalry with China
The US president said "negative forces" were airing concerns about "things that won't happen".
theguardian.com
‘Too little, too late’: critics perplexed and suspicious of AI leaders’ call for a slowdown
From the Trump administration to AI experts, plans by the Anthropic boss to boost safety have spawned a largely negative responseOpenAI boss and Elon Musk back slowdown on ‘reckless’ AI developmentEditorial: controlling AI – humanity cannot outsource its survivalThe safety debate that ignited when whistleblowers last week warned that the most advanced AI poses an existential threat to humanity should come with a health warning: side effects include whiplash. It was only seven days ago that AI enthusiasts were cheerily toying with OpenAI’s newest model GPT-6 Astra which was marketed in part as a lifestyle tool to help people book tennis courts, run fashion companies and order takeaways.By Wednesday, cutting-edge AI started to look a lot less appealing when the resigning Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warned “the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade”. Yes, he was talking about artificial superintelligence – an as-yet-nonexistent version of the technology that outcompetes humans in most domains – but his comments, and the chorus of experts that echoed him, jangled plenty of nerves. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Anthropic's Amodei says China presents 'toughest dilemma' for his proposed AI slowdown
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Demis Hassabis, the chair of Google DeepMind, and Elon Musk have all welcomed Amodei's proposal.
cnbc.com
Xi says China will take lead to foster AI, tech cooperation among BRICS countries
China will take the lead to help foster artificial-intelligence collaboration and development among developing-economy countries, President Xi Jinping said.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the government’s corporate reforms: entrenching neoliberalism, not ending it | Editorial
A recent consultation on corporate reporting prizes the interests of shareholders over society. It’s a step in the wrong directionThe question of what corporations are for is deeply political. In a 1970 article for the New York Times, Milton Friedman argued that the “social responsibility of business is to increase its profits”. The idea that CEOs should worry about providing good jobs was “pure and unadulterated socialism”, he wrote. Friedman and his fellow neoliberals saw companies as vehicles for enforcing their politics. Their ideas endured: UK bosses are now paid 130 times more than average workers.Despite Andy Burnham’s pledge to end neoliberalism, a 12-week consultation recently launched by his government risks entrenching it. The consultation was first announced as part of the Starmer government’s crusade against “red tape”. The average annual report for some businesses now runs to 98,000 words, and no doubt there are areas that could be simplified. But the consultation proposes removing vital information and presumes that company reports primarily serve shareholders, rather than other stakeholders. Both are steps in the wrong direction. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
AI staff 'genuinely frightened' for humanity's future, ex-Anthropic researcher tells BBC
It comes as the AI firm's boss has called for the technology's development to be slowed down, citing "serious" risks.
theguardian.com
A joyful harvest: the young Welsh farmers growing food for Birmingham
A charity in Powys provides the land while growers do the hard work, producing bumper crops for city childrenKilos and kilos of courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes and salad leaves are ripe and ready for picking on a small Welsh farm in the rural county of Powys.The haul being harvested by Tilly Gomersall is not just impressive after a difficult growing season hit by a record string of heatwaves and drought across all of Wales and most of England, but all the more remarkable given that 18 months ago the site was uncultivated pasture. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says, as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy appear elusive
The latest strike happened ahead of an expected meeting between Iranian and Gulf officials in Oman to sign an agreement for shipping through the strait.
theguardian.com
Surging inflation puts interest rates back in focus as policymakers meet in Japan, US and UK
Iran war and turbulent global bond markets add to pressure as rate decisions loom this week in major western economiesEconomics viewpoint: perilous UK economic conditions trace back to TrumpCentral bankers in economies including the US, Japan and the UK will face a moment of truth this week, as surging inflation raises the prospect of higher interest rates.Policymakers in all three countries will set rates in the next seven days against the backdrop of turbulent global bond markets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Trump accounts’ promise to mint child millionaires. Experts have their doubts
President has hyped growth of federal investment accounts to help US children – for his own political gainSince returning to the White House, Donald Trump has scrapped rules that made childcare more affordable and pushed to cut funding for the nation’s public schools. But with midterm elections fast approaching and his approval ratings very low, the US president has repeatedly trumpeted a two-month-old program designed to help the nation’s children. That program, unhumbly named “Trump accounts”, calls for the federal government to give a one-time $1,000 seed deposit to every newborn whose family applies.In campaign speeches this summer, Trump has sought to milk these accounts for maximum political advantage, making big promises about how much these accounts will help the nation’s children. In a speech in Las Vegas last month, Trump hailed the program, saying: “It’s really giving [children] a head start on the American dream… They start off with $1,000 … and they can end up with $100,000, $200,000, $300,000” and if the stock market booms, “you’d end up with $1m”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Many professionals take continuing education. Let’s add etiquette classes | Gene Marks
This type of training is needed now more than ever, as the American workplace gets more and more diverseAs a certified public accountant, I’m required to earn at least 80 hours every two years of continuing professional education credits. Many other professions and trades, including lawyers, healthcare professionals, engineers, electricians, plumbers and certain contractors, have similar requirements. It’s a good idea.These professional requirements often also include ethics training. That’s a good idea too. But just getting a refresher on ethics isn’t enough. Something else is needed – something that’s even more important: etiquette. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI will transform capitalism – but how?
Technology is going to drastically reshape the economy, and it’s within our power to decide what that looks likeThe idea that autonomous, thinking machines may one day destroy property, hierarchy and inequality is as old as western political thought. In Aristotle’s Politics, the philosopher cites a fantasy from the Iliad, in which machines begin to act independently of human direction, concluding: “If every tool could perform its own work when ordered, or by seeing what to do in advance … if thus shuttles wove and quills played harps of themselves, master-craftsmen would have no need of assistants and masters no need of slaves.”The dream that automation could inaugurate a classless society is also present in the writings of Karl Marx. In 1858 he imagined the replacement of intellectual property with “socialised knowledge”, which would merge into a “general intellect”, blowing the foundations of capitalism sky high. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China's Xi urges BRICS nations to work towards peace in the Middle East
China, Iran's biggest trading partner and a key customer of Tehran's energy exports, is willing to work with BRICS towards peace in the region, Xi said.
theguardian.com
The perilous economic conditions facing the UK can be traced back to Trump | Richard Partington
As John Healey drafts his autumn budget, the US president’s policies continue to inflate debt servicing costsBritain is not entirely in control of its own destiny, from the rising cost of the weekly shop, to the vaulting cost of government borrowing. What is said and done in Westminster matters. But the global backdrop is making life tough, not least in the deeds and words of one man: Donald Trump.As John Healey drafts his plan for next month’s autumn budget, the perilous economic conditions the chancellor must navigate can be traced back to the door of the US president. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Dramatic insider warnings over AI fall flat with some in Silicon Valley
A recent spate of stark warnings about the dangers of AI has been met with scepticism by executives and investors.
theguardian.com
‘Really helpful’: the AI bootcamps aimed at addressing UK youth unemployment
Pilot project in Preston comes with apprenticeship offer for Neets at end of three-week courseIn a youth centre opposite Preston bus station, the UK government is trying to address two of the greatest challenges facing the national economy: AI and youth unemployment.The hope is that one will solve – rather than cause – the other. In a room at the recently opened Vault, a community hub in the Lancashire city, an “AI bootcamp” is under way – part of a trial in the north-west to give 16- to 24-year-olds AI training. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'It's cost upon cost for working families - they get no help'
The government needs to do more to support working families, a charity in Rotherham says.
bbc.co.uk
Oil prices create 'huge worry' as winter looms
The warning comes after the US-Iran conflict drives up heating oil and fuel costs.
theguardian.com
Tesco alerts police as supermarket becomes latest victim of scam ‘endorsement’ ads
Exclusive: Supermarket joins line of firms and sports stars including Bellingham and Haaland to have their image hijacked via adsTesco has alerted City of London police after it became the latest in a string of companies and sports stars, including Barclays bank and Lewis Hamilton, to have its image hijacked in a “scam” by unlicensed casinos advertising via Facebook and Instagram.The supermarket chain is among several household-name businesses to have been targeted in an apparent effort by casinos that cannot legally operate in Britain to capitalise on their brand recognition. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Mapped: the £150bn megaproject that aims to protect Britain from energy shocks
Thousands of miles of new power lines are needed to deliver climate targets and energy security, but bills will rise in the short term and opponents are mobilising Britain is embarking on one of the largest overhauls of its electricity grid in generations – a megaproject in which five times more infrastructure will be built by 2030 than was constructed during the previous three decades.Tens of billions of pounds are being spent on new pylons, subsea cables and converter stations to connect a growing fleet of wind and solar farms and carry clean power to where it is needed. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Cheap iPhone deal’: warning over scam sites selling latest Apple mobiles
Criminals exploit demand for iPhone 18 Pro and foldable Duo to trick people eager to get their hands on oneApple has just launched a range of new iPhones, including a foldable handset, just as you decide it is time to replace your own ageing mobile. But you balk at the £1,199 price tag for the cheapest of the new options.Searching online for a better price with the words “cheap”, “iPhone” and “deal”, you come across a website which offers an iPhone 18 Pro for a couple of hundred pounds less than the Apple site. You pay for the new phone via a bank transfer and wait for it to arrive. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK government to offer clearer guidance on student loans after repayment row
Criticism of three-year threshold repayment freeze in England prompts update to guidance warning terms and conditions could changeUniversity students taking out student loans in England are to be warned that the terms and conditions could change so they are better informed about what they are signing up to, the government has said.In July, a report by MPs said slideshows that compared student loan repayments to the cost of a mobile phone contract, and YouTube videos that did not mention the fact that conditions could be altered amounted to mis-selling by the government. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rise of the student commuters: weighing the costs of living at home or in halls
Changing social trends and creative timetables are making it more likely for students to stay at home while they study. Is campus life on the way out?For Lucy Brazier, a second-year business management student, commuting to university was an easy decision. She lives near Colchester, where the University of Essex is based. “[It] was the obvious choice for my course once I weighed up the costs,” she says.And with overnight accommodation available on campus, she feels she gets the best of both worlds. “I can book a room at less than a day’s notice for £35 so I don’t have to drive home. I’ve used it after nights out, and the evening before exams so I don’t have the stress of driving in the morning. It’s been really helpful.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Live episode: how AI is reshaping our minds – podcast
In this episode of Science Weekly, recorded in front of an audience at the London podcast festival on 3 September, Ian Sample hears from Michael Safi, the host of the Guardian’s chart-topping podcast about artificial intelligence, Black Box. In series two, Black Box: the chatbots, Michael meets people who have become convinced they have made scientific breakthroughs, cured diseases or invented new technologies using AI chatbots. Ian, Michael and Science Weekly’s co-host Madeleine Finlay explore the phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’ and ask what it reveals about a technology now used by more than a billion peopleListen to Black Box: the chatbotsSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Anthropic boss Dario Amodei calls for AI development to slow down
The call comes amid growing concerns that AI models may become able to inflict serious damage worldwide.
bbc.co.uk
Iceland to open first store in the Falklands
Boss Lord Richard Walker says it would be the the first UK high street brand to operate there.
bbc.co.uk
'Skimpflation' warning as tinned mackerel alternative hits more supermarket shelves
Consumer group Which? has called the sale of jack mackerel, a cheaper, less nutritious species of fish, an example of "skimpflation".
cnbc.com
Larry Ellison nixes plan to offload up to $7.5 billion worth of Oracle stock
Oracle founder Larry Ellison has canceled his plan to sell up to $7.5 billion worth of stock in the software company.
theguardian.com
Donations of £72m make Reform’s prospects both rosier and riskier
Party can boost its campaign power with funds from billionaire backers, but it can also lose support from ordinary BritonsAll things being equal, pretty much any political strategist would welcome a £72m war chest; a sum higher than the combined spending of every major party at the 2024 general election. But all things are not equal, and with such a huge amount comes risk.Reform UK has been vocal in its arguments that two sudden £36m windfalls from billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne merely “levels the playing field” with the bigger parties when it comes to funding. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Christopher Harborne matches £36m Reform donation of Ben Delo
Party leader, Nigel Farage, ‘humbled’ by contributions from billionaires as Harborne addresses ‘media speculation’Analysis: donations of £72m make Reform’s prospects both rosier and riskierThe cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne has given £36m to Reform UK, matching a donation from fellow billionaire Ben Delo.The pledges mean Reform has received a cash injection of £72m in just 24 hours. They are jointly the largest donations made to a UK political party and have intensified calls for restrictions on money received from individual donors. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Deepfakes are wrecking influencers’ credibility, one fake ad at a time
Influencers aren’t just battling competitors for brand deals. They’re now battling AI versions of themselvesEarlier this year, Emily Schuman, the creator of the lifestyle blog Cupcakes and Cashmere, saw a photo of herself she didn’t recognize on Instagram. In a sponsored ad, Schuman, who has more than 500,000 Instagram followers, is holding up a vial of GLP-1 drugs, advertising the telehealth company Gala. There was just one problem: Schuman had never heard of Gala and had nothing to do with the ad.The ad was based on a digitally altered version of a selfie Schuman had taken in her car and posted on Instagram years earlier. Once her followers got wind, they flooded her inbox with questions about the sponsorship as it didn’t seem consistent with Schuman’s personal brand. Soon after, Schuman discovered this was just the beginning. There was also an Instagram post where an AI version of her with darker hair appears to apply foundation to promote a makeup brand called Meroda Cosmetics, and TikTok posts with generated images of her promoting the blood testing company Superpower. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
We know how to prevent black lung, so why are workers still dying?
Silicosis sufferers are getting younger as Trump and the coal mining industry push back on protectionsSilicosis is one of the oldest workplace hazards and public health experts have known for decades how to prevent it. Yet a new wave of workers, from Appalachian coalminers to Latino countertop fabrication workers, are developing and dying from the disease as industry fights new protections and regulators fail to defend the rules that could protect them.John Robinson’s grandfather developed black lung back when coalminers could spend decades in the mines before being diagnosed with the disease, often dying in their 60s, 70s and 80s. But Robinson, who mined for coal in south-west Virginia, was diagnosed when he was 47. He’s part of a trend that has grown over the past two decades in central Appalachia, where more coalminers are developing black lung disease at younger ages. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
London Underground workers exposed to asbestos without protective masks, documents reveal
Hundreds of staff may have worked without legally required face-fitted masks over 20 yearsHundreds of London Underground workers could have been exposed to asbestos for almost 20 years without protection required under safety regulations, according to documents seen by the Guardian.Under 2002 rules on controlling asbestos and other hazardous materials, employers are required to take a series of precautions, including ensuring exposed workers are given individually fitted face masks to prevent inhalation of toxic dust. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI may be denting computer science graduates’ job prospects, UK data shows
Economics graduates also appear to be affected as demand for them falls in well-paid roles in financeAI may be warping the job prospects for students in the previously high-demand subjects of computer science and economics, according to a detailed look into the careers of recent UK graduates.Data obtained for the 2027 Guardian University Guide published on Saturday shows that coding and software development were the fastest-falling occupations for graduates last year, while employer demand for graduates in well-paid roles in financial categories such as economists and management consultants also declined. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Costing billions’: is the pensions triple lock a lifeline or simply unaffordable?
With the budget looming, arguments rage over whether ministers should scrap a pledge popular with millionsThere were fresh calls this week for the state pension “triple lock” to be ditched as debate rages over whether the UK can afford it.The triple lock guarantees that the state pension goes up each year in line with inflation or wage increases or 2.5% – whichever is the highest. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia, Trump and a battle over welfare loom over Sweden’s election
Russia's war, permanently higher defense spending and uncertainty over U.S. commitments are narrowing the choices facing whoever wins Sunday's election.
bbc.co.uk
Ryanair boss O'Leary defends 'high-fare rapists' airlines remarks
O'Leary has said airline passengers "can't afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe".
bbc.co.uk
Alstom to build new battery-electric train fleet
The government says the work will support thousands of jobs across the UK.
theguardian.com
Tell us: how did your childhood shape your attitude to money?
We would like to speak to people about how their early years coloured their relationship with cashWe would like to speak to people about how their childhoods shaped their attitude towards money in later life.Do you think the way you manage money has been affected by your upbringing? Did your family talk about money openly, or was it a subject that felt taboo? And how has that shaped your attitude to your personal finances today? Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
US prices remain high as fuel costs squeeze household budgets
Prices in the US rose 3.4% in the 12 months to August, according to the latest official report on inflation.
theguardian.com
UK chancellor urged to remove ‘hidden taxes’ from energy bills
Businesses, charities and other groups sign letter calling for levies to be paid by the governmentMore than 120 organisations including big businesses and charities have called for the removal of “hidden taxes” added to energy bills to help reduce costs for consumers and prevent businesses closing.In a letter to the chancellor the signatories – including Energy UK, business trade body the CBI, End Fuel Poverty and Age UK – called for levies amounting to 10% of energy bills that fund policies to be paid for by the government. John Healey is to present his first budget on 28 October. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Facing a UK housing dilemma? Send us your questions
From renting and troublesome landlords to buying or selling a home, send us your UK housing questionsAre you dealing with a problem with your landlord or tenancy, wondering about buying or selling a home, or facing another housing issue?We’re planning to launch a new column answering readers’ questions about housing in the UK and helping them understand their options. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
AI boom helps drive surprise UK growth in July
The economy expanded by 0.4%, official figures show, whereas analysts had predicted no growth.
cnbc.com
China's wealthy brace for a widening tax net as Beijing closes in
Beijing's recent push to tax offshore wealth may be only the opening phase of a broader campaign that could eventually reach overseas properties, inheritances.
bbc.co.uk
Can Europe recharge its battery industry?
Europe has some promising battery tech, but can it make up ground lost to Chinese battery giants?
bbc.co.uk
I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why
Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
bbc.co.uk
Watch: Three times Trump has promised money to Americans
The BBC's Samira Hussain looks at the president's past claims after he announced he would pay American adults $5,000 if Republicans win in the midterm elections.
bbc.co.uk
Labour mayors in England vow to cap tourist tax at 5%
Reform UK and the Conservatives have criticised plans for the new levy on visitors' overnight stays.
bbc.co.uk
Oil, gas and borrowing costs surge as fears over Middle East escalate
The price of oil jumps to $105 a barrel amid signs the Iran war will not be resolved quickly.
theguardian.com
The Russia-tied French billionaires opening UK's first historical theme park – explainer
French company Puy du Fou is planning a £600m history-themed park in Oxfordshire. A Guardian investigation has found the company continued working with associates of Konstantin Malofeyev, a pro-Kremlin oligarch under sanctions, on plans for a theme park in Russian-occupied Crimea for longer than it had previously disclosed, and later explored projects in Iran and China.Business reporter Rob Davies explains his findings, including documents that raise questions about whether Puy du Fou’s activities tested the limits of EU sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.He also examines the far-right politics associated with Puy du Fou’s founder, Philippe de Villiers, and asks whether the company is a suitable choice to tell Britain’s national storyKremlin connections: the Russia links to a £600m UK theme park Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
When a Dragon gives you a helping hand
When a Dragon gives you a helping hand
bbc.co.uk
Primark introduces home delivery
Primark has said it plans to launch a home delivery service in Britain, four years after it made its first foray into e-commerce.
bbc.co.uk
Air traffic chaos and compensation: 'Shutdown cost us more than £1,000'
Flight disruption has ruined holidays and left passengers sleeping on airport floors - so what are their rights?
bbc.co.uk
Primark finally set to launch home deliveries
The retailer launches the service four years after making its first foray into internet shopping.
bbc.co.uk
Apple's new boss starts with big gamble on £1,999 first folding iPhone
Apple showed off at an event the first major design change to the iPhone in almost 20 years.
cnbc.com
UBS CEO flags investor complacency as geopolitical and economic risks mount
The UBS top boss cautioned that investors face an increasingly complicated environment given multiple headwinds.
bbc.co.uk
Tax banks to cut energy bills, unions tell Burnham
The TUC says a bank surcharge should be reversed - and estimates it would raise £9bn over four years.
bbc.co.uk
Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take over
AI agents went on an uncontrolled hacking spree, leaving some in the industry worried
bbc.co.uk
The one thing you need to do to succeed - according to top bosses
What makes someone stand out in a crowded workplace? Six business leaders tell us what they look for.
bbc.co.uk
Air traffic failure was avoidable, says transport secretary
Heidi Alexander orders an investigation into the glitch that caused more than 2,000 flight cancellations.
bbc.co.uk
Learner drivers still forced to wait months for tests
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had been given a target to reduce average wait times to seven weeks.
bbc.co.uk
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Flights are cancelled owing to air traffic control problems, so what are your rights if you're affected?
cnbc.com
The world's highest paid leader is set for a 64% pay rise. Here's how others compare
Wong announced ministerial salaries will be adjusted upwards after 15 years, with his annual pay package rising to 3.6 million Singapore dollars
bbc.co.uk
Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
bbc.co.uk
'Tirana teeth': Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
The Balkan nation is aiming to become a new centre for medical tourism.
bbc.co.uk
Why a famous Montreal sandwich shop has been forced to swap its soda
Schwartz’s, one of Montreal’s most famous delis, has changed suppliers for its black cherry soda.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
How much can Canada fight back in its trade war with the US?
The US may be the bigger trading partner, but Canada shouldn't be counted out quite yet in the escalating trade fight.
bbc.co.uk
Prosecco, cakes and beauty products - how to get birthday freebies and why there's a catch
Cake, coffee, make-up and burgers are just some of the free things you can get on your birthday.
bbc.co.uk
From 'dog fruit' to darling: India's avocado boom
Demand for avocados is booming in India and local growers hope to grab more of the market.
bbc.co.uk
Why wait? Business grads buying firms to install themselves as CEO
Impatient to be the boss of an established company they are borrowing money to fund their purchases.
bbc.co.uk
'My parents won't lend me £10k but helped my brother': When families play financial favourites
So-called financial favouritism can cause jealousy and resentment long into adulthood. Here is how experts say you can avoid it
bbc.co.uk
Overcooked? Why robotic pizza makers are failing
A string of failures has sapped confidence that robots will take over production at pizza restaurants.
bbc.co.uk
How Dolly Parton's business savvy helped her succeed far beyond the charts
While country music and films brought her fame, her entrepreneurial zeal brought her fortune.
bbc.co.uk
Firms scramble for battery power in Spain and Portugal
After last year's massive power failure Spanish and Portuguese firms are buying battery back ups.
bbc.co.uk
Drought leaves 'barely any apples' to make cider
Some orchards are harvesting just a 10th of their usual crop, and facing an uncertain future.
bbc.co.uk
'What you see is what you pay' - why some US restaurants are banning tips
Tips are central to US dining culture but some eateries think that they are unfair.
bbc.co.uk
How landscape gardening is being electrified
The switch to quieter electric equipment is not going as fast as some would like.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
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